Zurich Classic Format: How the Team Event Works

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is the only team event on the PGA Tour regular season. Two-man teams compete over 72 holes using a rotating format: four-ball (best ball) on Thursday and Saturday, alternate shot (foursomes) on Friday and Sunday. The team with the lowest total strokes wins. If you are following the tournament or placing bets, the key detail is that the format alternates every other day, which changes how you evaluate pairings from one round to the next.

When This Format Applies (and When It Doesn’t)

This scoring and cut structure is unique to the Zurich Classic on the PGA Tour regular-season schedule. It does not apply to other team events like the Ryder Cup (match play), the Presidents Cup (match play), or the QBE Shootout (modified stableford). Even within the Tour’s season, no other stroke-play team event uses this exact 4-ball/alternate-shot rotation over 72 holes. If you are watching a different tournament, verify the format separately—don’t assume every team competition follows Zurich’s rules.

The Round-by-Round Scoring Rotation

Each round is a separate competition among 80 teams (160 players), but the overall winner is determined by cumulative stroke total across all four rounds. The alternating format tests both individual firepower and partnership execution. To follow the action correctly, you need to know which format is in play on a given day.

Four-Ball (Rounds 1 and 3)

Both players play their own ball on every hole. The team’s score for the hole is the lower of the two individual scores. If Player A makes a 3 and Player B makes a 5, the team records a 3. This format rewards aggressive play because a teammate can cover a bad hole. Teams often aim for birdie on every hole, knowing that even if one player stumbles, the other can still score.

In the 2023 edition, winners Nick Hardy and Davis Riley shot 63 in both four-ball rounds, combining for 12 birdies and an eagle over those 36 holes. Their ability to let the hotter hand carry each hole created a scoring pace that few teams could match.

Alternate Shot (Rounds 2 and 4)

Teams play one ball per hole, alternating hits. One player tees off on odd-numbered holes, the other on even-numbered holes. After the tee shot, the players alternate until the ball is holed. If a team loses a ball, the next shot must be taken by the player whose turn it is, often forcing tough recovery shots under pressure. This format places a premium on course management, driving accuracy, and trust between partners.

Hardy and Riley posted rounds of 64 and 65 in their alternate-shot days, making only one bogey across both rounds. That consistency under the most pressurized format was the difference between their victory and the teams that folded under the alternating pressure.

Failure Cases That Can Sink a Team

The Zurich Classic’s unique rules create several pitfalls that trip up even strong pairings. Knowing these failure cases can help you evaluate teams more accurately and avoid surprises.

The Cut Eliminates Both Players at Once

After 36 holes, the field is cut to the top 33 teams and ties. Unlike most PGA Tour events, the cut eliminates entire teams, not individuals. If your team misses the cut, both players leave early regardless of personal performance. This rule changes the dynamic of Thursday and Friday play: a single bad partnership round can send both players home even if one of them is playing well individually. In 2022, several high-profile pairings missed the cut because one partner struggled in the alternate-shot Friday round—a team that posted a strong four-ball score on Thursday could still go home if they could not execute the alternating format the next day.

One Player Withdraws, the Whole Team Is Out

Because the tournament is a team event, if one player withdraws for any reason, the entire team is disqualified. There is no substitution or replacement. This rule has ended several promising runs, including an incident in 2022 when a player injured his wrist during the second round and could not continue, forcing his team to withdraw on the spot. Both players receive a WD on their record, and the team is removed from the leaderboard immediately. For a player’s FedExCup standing, a withdrawal carries no points and can jeopardize their season if it happens late in the year.

Why Some Teams Struggle Despite Strong Four-Ball Scores

The biggest failure case in this event is a team that posts a low Thursday score but cannot execute on Friday in alternate shot. Because the cut eliminates the whole team, a single bad alternate-shot round can send both players home. For example, in 2022, multiple top-10 teams after Thursday missed the cut after shooting 75+ in Friday’s alternate-shot round. The switch from “everyone fire at flags” to “one ball, one mistake costs the team” catches aggressive teams off guard. If you are betting or playing fantasy, watch how a team has performed in alternate-shot events in the past—not just their four-ball scoring average.

Implications for Betting and Fantasy Lineups

Because the format flips every other day, a team that dominates four-ball can still miss the cut or lose ground if they struggle in alternate shot. When handicapping the field, prioritize teams with a balanced skillset: both players need solid driving accuracy and short game, not just birdie-making power. A pairing of two long-but-wayward hitters may look great after Thursday’s four-ball but can implode in Friday’s alternate-shot round. In 2022, one such team shot 62 in four-ball but then 76 in alternate shot and missed the cut. For fantasy purposes, avoid loading a lineup with boom-or-bust duos; look for teams that have previously won alternate-shot events or have a strong record in Ryder Cup foursomes.

How to Confirm the Day’s Format

If you are watching live and forget which format is in play, check the official PGA Tour leaderboard website or the tournament’s mobile app. Each day is labeled “Round 1 (Four-ball),” “Round 2 (Foursomes),” etc., directly on the scoring page. The PGA Tour also announces the format during the broadcast pre-show. Alternatively, look at the players’ ball counts: in four-ball each player will have a ball and a caddie; in alternate shot the team is playing one ball and only one team member hits each shot, with the other player standing off.

FedExCup Points and Prize Money

Both players on the winning team receive official prize money (the full winner’s check is split equally) and FedExCup points at a reduced rate compared to standard individual events. Currently, the winning team gets 400 FedExCup points per player, versus 500 for a regular stroke-play win. Official World Golf Ranking points are also awarded, but the pool is smaller, meaning top-ranked players can lose ground relative to individual events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Zurich Classic a stroke play or match play event?

It is stroke play. Teams accumulate total strokes across four rounds, and the lowest total wins. There is no elimination of holes or head-to-head matches.

How is the cut determined?

The top 33 teams and ties after two rounds advance to the weekend. The cut does not consider individual performance. If your team is outside the cutoff, you are done regardless of your personal score.

Do both players receive a trophy?

Yes. Each member of the winning team receives a trophy, a winner’s replica belt, and the full winner’s prize money split equally.

Can a team change its pairing order or switch formats during the week?

No. The order of play, including who tees off on odd- and even-numbered holes in alternate shot, must be set before the round and cannot change. The format for each round is fixed by the tournament schedule.

What happens if a team ties after 72 holes?

A sudden-death playoff begins immediately using the alternate-shot format. Teams continue playing until one team wins a hole outright. There is no aggregate playoff or return to four-ball.